Lower Penquite, Liskeard, Cornwall - Romantic Hideaway House

Situated at the end of a long private drive, a sunken lane which belongs to the property, Lower Penquite has an exceptional level of privacy, without being isolated.

An unusual variety of trees provide an enchanting approach and background to the house, which enjoys a sheltered position. The house has an abundance of intriguing detail and imaginative quirks. Features include wood carvings Pargetting and hand-made windows, The natural spiral staircase is a particular feature, created from an oak tree with branches supporting solid elm treads. Throughout the house and cottages, natural materials have been used, creating a rustic charm sympathetic to the surroundings. The house is built on two levels - the first floor is also accessed from the gardens.

The gardens and grounds are well established. Further extensive planting has taken place in recent years, creating a variety of themes. Natural springs run through the land, and meet with a small tributary in the valley below. Beside the drive the stream forms a natural watercress bed. The gardens extend and merge into planting of native trees, linking to the pasture and wooded stream beyond.

Views from Lower Penquite are very wide and quite exceptional.

Drawing Room

Unique Oak Tree Spiral Staircase

SITUATION

Lower Penquite is situated outside the village of St. Ive, 4 miles to the west of Callington and 5 miles east of Liskeard. Sandy beaches are only 8 miles away and the dramatic North Cornwall coast can be reached in less than an hour.

Callington and Liskeard offer a good range of services, including schools, churches and convenience stores. Main line train services from Liskeard. The city of Plymouth, with ferry and airport connections to the continent, offers an excellent range of recreational and educational facilities, together with a number of out-of-town shopping centres.

Lower Penquite has several suitable areas for a Heli-pad.

THE GROUNDS AND GARDENS

From the sunken lane approach to Lower Penquite you arrive via a grass driveway between lakes surrounded by wild flower meadows, In front of the house is a spacious yellow gravel area for parking, and in the centre is an island of subtropical plants, including Bamboos, Mimosas, African Wattle, even Banana, many of which are evergreen.

East and west sides to the house give views of superb sunrises and sunsets. The greenhouse faces south. The house is sheltered from the prevailing S W wind. There are sitting-out and barbeque places by the pool, at the front of the house is a covered area facing the morning sun, perfect for summer breakfasts and in the west garden. Outside the Conservatory is another sitting/entertaining/barbecue area in full sunshine until dusk. The Sun Room/Studio has sun all day.

Paved pathways give convenient access to parts of the garden and the Barn. There is a vegetable garden with central path and low perimeter fence with three gates for easy access. Amongst the garden planting there are young fruit trees (Apple, Plum, Pear, Quince and Medlar). Soft fruits include Red, Black and White Currant, Raspberries, Gooseberries, Strawberries and Rhubarb.

The stream running beside the approach drive fills with an abundance of fresh Watercress. The gardens provide Rosemary, Bay and a range of kitchen herbs,

Trees and shrubs include Magnolias, a number of Camellias and a succession of Rhododendrons, as yet newly planted, but contributing already to the colourful feeling of uplift as spring adorns the gardens of Penquite. Penquite has at least five species of Mulberry, including two that are almost unique in Britain. These were planted for their leaves, rather than fruit, for the Lullingstone Silk Farm which moved here from Dorset, famous for the supply of silk for the wedding of HRH Diana Princess of Wales.

On the raised Cornish banks Snowdrops, wild Violets and Primroses signal the end of winter and Daffodils in many colours appear from early spring. There are several places where clumps of true wild Daffodils, Lent Lillies, appear in some numbers.

May brings a beautiful array of Bluebells mixed with Pink Campion and white Stitchwort - a truly Cornish sight. Summer Hydrangeas at Penquite are intense sapphire blue. In autumn clumps of pink Cyclamen appear on the garden banks.

A wide variety of Buddleias attracts butterflies in summer.

All parts of the garden and grounds are accessible with a garden tractor/mower - designed for ease of maintenance.

Wildlife at Penquite

Birds frequently seen close to the house include Nuthatch, Spotted Woodpecker, tame Pheasants, Long-tailed Tits and Goldfinches. Flocks of Starlings roost in the trees. There are Buzzards, Kestrel and Sparrow Hawks, The lakes make a home for Moorhen, Mallard and Canada Geese,

There are deer in the woodland in the valley along the stream.

What was intensively grazed pasture is now becoming a wildlife haven with a diversity of wild plants that feed and encourage birds, butterflies, bees and a host of other wildlife.